1. Posted by ricecakecoaster on Fri, Jul 13, 2007, 9:10 pm PDT

Happy to know there is some benefit being gained from my failed garden this year. I can take great pleasure in knowing i did it for my health!! Thanks Dr. Mao! That lifted my spirits.

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2. Posted by imaluckyamericanwoman on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 4:45 am PDT

Also, it is a wise idea to have some muscular strength in the event of incapacitation. At 46, I recently gave birth to a baby and stayed the normal 2 nights at the hospital. Mostly, I stayed in bed and nursed my new little guy. Well, turns out up to age 40 you do not lose muscle mass but after at 40 you do and boy did I ever. It kills me to get up and down (mind you, now holding an infant) and I wish the hospital staff had warned me.

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3. Posted by jen32s on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 6:51 pm PDT

Mowing the grass is also good exercise, with a push mower. It takes me an hour to mow my lawn and I get a good workout from it. I have taken over the task from my husband and like the workout.

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4. Posted by acj11491 on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 8:46 pm PDT

To avoid bugs, I've also heard that you can put fabric softener sheets in your shirt or pockets. I guess the smell repels mosquitoes.

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5. Posted by desirebystarlight on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 9:15 pm PDT

I agree with you Dr. Mao. Exercise outdoors but don't bother with the insect repellants. Not only are insect repellants toxic but they're useless. Just resigned myself to roughin' it, come what may, whenever I go outside. I stopped wearing insect repellants years ago, out of disgust, because they just never worked. Thankfully, wearing them was a shortlived phase and I had some common sense to stop. Didn't find out how toxic it all was until years later after I stopped wearing them.

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6. Posted by animefanime18 on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 9:16 pm PDT

Well, that was really helpful, I have to go check out the store for some lemongrass oil, I guess! :)

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7. Posted by trudem7 on Sun, Jul 15, 2007, 6:11 am PDT

Our body is usually forgiving when we are young and neglectful (as I was). Not so as we age. To keep in shape it takes time, work, attention, and vigilance. The rewards are stunning. My real exercise occurs indoors; the walk outdoors is exercise too, but I think it is more for my spirit as I love the air, sky, trees, flowers, and sense of space. Thanks for validating the worth of our efforts.

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8. Posted by Kimberly G on Sun, Jul 15, 2007, 8:11 am PDT

Thank you for your tips, especially about the bug repellent!! Your tips are always helpful :)

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9. Posted by Jeanette S on Sun, Jul 15, 2007, 9:39 am PDT

Whats with you all everything he said was common sense. I know why dont you form a cult.

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10. Posted by desirebystarlight on Sun, Jul 15, 2007, 11:30 am PDT

#9: Are you part of the cult too since you said "everything he said was common sense?" Why did you feel the need to post to say that?For what it's worth, people post a comment because they can or can't identify with some point that has been made. Not everyone takes every article at face value and sometimes they read the comments to see how others are thinking on an issue.

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11. Posted by unsatisfiedblackout on Mon, Jul 16, 2007, 8:59 am PDT

I bike a lot. Knew it had some benefits but not that many. Nice!

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12. Posted by goldheartbluegrass on Tue, Jul 17, 2007, 1:11 pm PDT

please send me any help you can on alzheimers disease

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13. Posted by eileen d on Wed, Jan 02, 2008, 11:39 am PST

yes walkingis the best

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14. Posted by eileen d on Wed, Jan 02, 2008, 11:40 am PST

walking is the best excerice there is

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15. Posted by gjanwood on Sat, Feb 09, 2008, 8:13 am PST

i've saved this in my favorites. lots of great information!

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